A Photographer Captured The Eerie Reality Of China's Abandoned Disneyland

Little more than 20 miles from Beijing's bustling streets, the luster is well and truly lost for this Walt Disney wannabe. Any souls brave enough to make the journey will be greeted by an entirely different scene to the capital's teeming streets. There are only hollowed-out structures and cavernous buildings that look entirely too empty...at first glance, that is. But what made workers abort the whole project seemingly overnight? One intrepid photographer came dangerously close to the truth.

Trey Ratcliff was just another urban explorer looking for thrills and cool shots when things took a sinister turn. The squeak of bicycle wheels, a child's voice, and then.. nothing. That wasn't the end, though — the unsettling sounds followed him as he made his way around the shadowy halls and vast open spaces. Perhaps he'd just imagined it. After all, Wonderland hasn't always been the stuff of nightmares.

The strange story of Wonderland and its ultimate demise can be traced back to businessman Dr. Chanchai Ruayrungruang. His vision began back in the 1980s when he created an investment company known as the Reignwood Group. Fast forward a few years, though, and the entrepreneur was on the hunt for his next money-making venture. So with a new decade accelerating towards him, Ruayrungruang had to think big.

Before long, Ruayrungruang seemed to have cracked it. And what better solution than one which already boasted unbridled success — Disneyland. Looking westward to the booming arena of American theme parks for inspiration, he decided to build a wonderland of his very own in that iconic Disney image. And what's more, he'd already found the perfect spot.

With mother nature fully back in control of Wonderland nowadays, it's hard to picture what an unsuspecting Ruayrungruang would have laid eyes on back then. The huge stretch of 120-acre land must have seemed like the perfect spot for a park to rival Disney's finest attractions. Not only was it lush and grassy, but the space also had stunning scenic views of the nearby mountains. Undeterred by any potential risks, the determined tycoon got straight to work with construction.

He had big dreams for the spot, envisioning a theme park with rides for all ages, restaurants, shows, and all of the trappings you'd expect to find at Disneyland. But although the Reignwood Group had a decent reputation in Asia, the company would go on to do some shady business.

For one, it brazenly threw U.S. copyright law to the wind, perfectly replicating Disney's distinct font for its welcome sign. Even the famous castle, complete with iconic spires, wasn't safe. The buzz about the upcoming opening spread like wildfire all the same; locals couldn't wait for Wonderland to open. But it never did.

In 1998, without warning, construction on Wonderland came to a complete standstill. It didn't make any sense. So much work had already taken place, not to mention the millions of dollars poured into the project. With fairytale turrets already constructed, and the end in sight, it's hard to think why anyone would approve an unexpected freeze with so much at stake.

Naturally then, people speculated about why the park had been so suddenly abandoned. One popular belief at the time suggested it all boiled down to local farmers. Rumor had it that plans had been squashed because of disagreements over how much the land should sell for. But they were just that — rumors. With urban explorers like Ratcliff doing digging of their own for years to come, the real reason couldn't remain buried forever.

As time passed and Wonderland fell into ruin, locals lost hope that the complex would ever be completed. The once-bright paint began to fade and peel, the formidable structures started to rust, and the whole park became more derelict each passing day. Soon, though, an unlikely group entered the scene.

And as Ratcliff found out during his visit, the half-finished Wonderland, now more of an apocalyptic wasteland, became much more than just a deserted park. It became a place where local children could hang out unsupervised — the disused corridors and shadowy corners offering the perfect cover for their hijinks. Almost utterly abandoned, the site captured imaginations.

The stark reality of Ruayrungruang's failure was unmissable, even back in 2011. One of the most unsettling remnants of the park was its massive food court. Though no one ever got the chance to eat inside of it, the bare-bones structure still stands, a haunting reminder of what could have been. And it was here that Ratcliff first saw something out of the corner of his eye.

Needless to say, no one was supposed to be at the abandoned park. But it's true that from afar, it looked like it might just be the real deal. The impressive — yet entirely empty — castle and fake flags all give the illusion of a functioning theme park. Unfortunately, its unlucky history isn't quite so easy to conceal once up close — especially once the truth about its closure finally came out.

In 2008, more than a decade after construction had prematurely stopped, a representative of the Reignwood Group revealed the real reason they'd had to call it quits. And what it came down to was pretty fitting, especially given the unusual use of the deserted spot nowadays.

The entire multi-million-dollar project was scrapped because of a technicality about flooding. That's right — the Reignwood Group was forced to stop construction after 1998 flooding resulted in a law that protected the land they'd intended to build on. So Mother Nature kick-started the downward spiral and has since laid claim to the entire complex. Still, the nearby farmers have also staked their claim in the land.

Local farmers began taking over the area in droves. Not wanting all that space to go to waste, they used every patch of land they could to plant rows and rows of corn crops. And who could blame them? A boon to local farm owners but an urban explorer's nightmare, those towering rows of corn could play tricks on even the most daring of visitors. 

It was at this point, after all the glamour had faded, that Trey Ratcliff found himself walking through those abandoned halls, listening fearfully to the sounds of footsteps and children laughing. Hearing these sounds was unsettling in a place that was supposed to be a veritable graveyard. And what did he see when he turned around?

Trey was face to face with a child standing in the shadows, pointing a weapon directly at him. Literally, the stuff of nightmares. An evil child in an abandoned amusement park probably would have been too much for any photographer to take!

Luckily for Ratcliff, the kid's weapon seemed to fake — not that the photographer was 100% sure. Ratcliff called the abandoned park "a very strange place" and, you guessed it, "creepy." Even with seemingly-wild kids running around, however, the Reignwood Group refused to give up all of the land.

While the theme park was completely demolished in 2013, the Reignwood Group still has rights to 15 hectares of land. So what did they choose to build instead of a supersized Disney-esque playground? A luxury mall, of course! Now while Badaling Outlets is certainly an improvement on the shell that was Wonderland, one ghostly element of the original park still remains.

To this day, the castle can still be seen when driving through that part of China. Those who don't know the troubled history might assume it'd be a fun place to spend a day with friends and family...but they'd be wrong. And it's not just Disney wannabes that have secrets. What about Mr. Disney himself?

We've already established that Wonderland was a far cry from Walt's world of delight. It's the place where adorable elephants soar through the sky and woodland creatures help you with your chores, right? Not quite. Back in the day, a trip to see the likes of Mickey, Donald, and co. was far more similar to China's haunting Wonderland than anyone would like to admit. Now, although Mr. Disney himself would probably have rather kept certain parts of the franchise under lock and key, the real Disney has been captured on film in all of its creepy glory.

Hermione Baddely was a British character actress who picked up an Oscar nomination for her supporting turn in 1959’s Room at the Top. It’s unlikely that she ever inhabited a character quite as creepy as this Minnie Mouse, though. Yes, that’s Baddely underneath the crooked head and oversized hands. Good thing that monstrosity wasn't lurking in the cornfield. Unfortunately, it wasn't just creepy hands that marred Disney's original image.

The ten men behind these inherently creepy cartoon character masks were some of the most successful entertainers and creatives of their era. Vocalist Lanny Ross, cartoonist Russ Westover and stand-up comedian Ole Olsen were just a few of the names who posed for the attention-grabbing photo. Props to Otto Soglow, The Little King creator who’s standing second left on the top row, for fully committing to the concept.

Rocket Ismail got more than he bargained for when he came face to face with Roger Rabbit at a Disney celebration event. The footballer’s Canadian team the Argos were visited by several Mouse House faces as part of a tour designed to commemorate Disney World’s 20th birthday. But it was the Who Framed Roger Rabbit star who got the most involved.

Who needs the Big Bad Wolf? We can only imagine how terrified this young boy must have been at seeing a man in a creepy oversized pig costume staring down at him. The kid, who was also sporting orthopedic leg braces, was visiting Anaheim’s Disneyland in the early 1960s when this slightly terrifying snap was taken.

The Mickey Mouse lookalike that appears in Laurel and Hardy’s 1934 black-and-white film March of the Wooden Soldiers (also known as Babes in Toyland) doesn’t just look extremely odd. It also moves about very strangely, too. And it’s little wonder. Underneath that nightmarish costume was a poor real-life performing monkey!

We don’t blame the young girl at the front of this snap for staring straight ahead. That sight behind her could well have scarred her for life. The tot and the three other kids in the photo were being presented with prizes at Leicester Square’s Russells Restaurant as part of Mickey Mouse week in 1930. Yes, incredibly, those two nightmarish characters are supposed to be Mickey and Minnie!

Our U.K. readers may well recall something called Dismaland, a dystopian theme park that maverick resident artist Banksy created in 2015. Well, these two look more suited to its derelict site than the place where children’s dreams come true. Yes, the haunting Mickey and Minnie Mouse you see here seem as though they’re staring directly into your soul.

The adorable Winnie-the-Pooh may have been created by British writer A.A. Milne, but he’s so cute that you can entirely understand why this bear got the Disney treatment. Who can resist that cuddly big belly, friendly face, and insatiable appetite for honey? Still, the look on his face in this vintage photo suggests he may have taken something a little stronger than his beloved sweet stuff.

The young girl in this early 1970s snap looks to be enjoying herself. Which kid wouldn’t like a Mickey Mouse-shaped balloon emblazoned with the lovable rodent’s face on it, after all? But if you look closer the balloon in question actually looks like a hideous hollow-eyed creature. More Donnie Darko than dandy Disney!

Mickey and Minnie Mouse went a little highbrow in 1932 when they attended an event at New York’s Metropolitan Opera House. But as you can see, they didn’t exactly dress up for the occasion. And despite her smile, soprano Lily Pons must also have been a little unsettled by their creepy expressions.

Perhaps the Pepsi-Cola stand had run out of Donald Duck’s favorite soft drink? That’s one explanation as to why the web-footed star looks so aggrieved in this vintage Disneyland photo. As for the lady, maybe she's having a whale of a time, or are the shades hiding her sheer terror at the tiny but terrifying Donald impersonator?

This photo was taken at an event staged by the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus. You can imagine one of their agents on stage with a clown entertaining a young audience. But all eyes inevitably go straight toward the two diminutive characters who look more like Howard the Duck than Donald.

A gold star for anyone who could have worked out who this freakish party guest was supposed to be without reading the caption. We would have gone with Pepé Le Pew before suggesting Mickey Mouse. But yes, that really is supposed to be the Mouse House’s most famous creation entertaining, and no doubt scaring, children at a London party back in the day.

We’re not quite sure what’s going on here. We do know that the two youngsters are named Bobby Tuck and Joey LovVecchio, respectively, and that the snap was taken at Toronto International Airport. But why the diminutive female luggage carrier is wearing a somewhat haunting Donald Duck mask remains a total mystery.

Those attending the Grosvenor House Hotel’s staging of Monte Carlo Follies in 1934 London were certainly in for a treat. As well as a line of chorus girls donning Mickey and Minnie Mouse ears, the audience could also ‘enjoy’ a performance from three very creepy little pigs. The dancers’ pained expressions here say it all!

Remember that Friends episode where Ross goes a little overboard with the teeth whitener? Well, maybe its writers took inspiration from this slightly unsettling photo from a 1931 trade show. We’re not exactly sure to what kind of industry the London show related. But it was one where an equally creepy rabbit and flat-faced frog were also strange guests of honor.

Whoever was underneath this Big Bad Wolf costume obviously didn’t grasp the concept of personal space. In fact, they couldn’t get much closer to the poor woman, who doesn’t seem to find the fairytale villain’s behavior as funny as her friends. The White Rabbit to the side of her seems ready to cause mischief, too.

This Good Samaritan ensured that Goofy, a.k.a. a photographer named Tom Nebbia, didn’t breach any health and safety regulations by helping the beloved dog to tie his shoes. It would be quite a sweet picture had one of the creepy-looking seven dwarfs not wandered into shot, too. Judging by his expression, we presume it was Grumpy.

We can totally understand why the array of very real Dalmatians seem to be unsettled in this pic taken in Paris in the early 1960s. Those face masks are enough to scare even Cruella de Vil! They were, of course, being worn to celebrate the release of the original Disney animation.

This late 1970s version of Mickey Mouse is nowhere near as terrifying as the ones who roamed the Disney parks of the 1950s. But you can still imagine the sight of a giant rodent would be unsettling for a 16-month-old baby. Alongside Goofy and Donald Duck, Mickey was visiting a Denver children’s hospital at the time.  

Tourists James Farless and Steve Hoel may look relatively happy having their photo taken here. But you go to the Magic Kingdom at Disney World Florida to be snapped with the likes of Mickey, Goofy and co. We presume the character on the right is the Big Bad Wolf. But who knows where that oddball in the middle is from?

America doesn’t have the monopoly on inadvertently scaring the living daylights out of Disney World parade attendees. We’re not sure exactly who, or what, this bobble-necked character at Shanghai’s Mouse House resort is supposed to be. A Shrek-gone-wrong would be a decent guess if the green ogre didn’t belong to Dreamworks instead. But it’s terrifying all the same.

The looks on the faces of these soldiers suggest they’re not too happy about being inspected by a couple of creepy giant rodents. They aren’t real soldiers, of course, but toy ones brought to life. The heavy make-up gives the game away. But even so, Mickey and Minnie still appear to be rubbing them the wrong way.

We can’t blame this kid for looking entirely unimpressed. Not only does the young boy have to make do with an unconvincing Santa, he also has to contend with a handful of dodgy-looking Disney characters. Yes, the various Donalds and we presume either Goofy or Pluto look like they were created in half an hour using whatever the event organizers could find.

The Big Bad Wolf appeared to have a habit of creeping up on unsuspecting members of the public at Disney theme parks. See the startled reaction of the woman in this snap taken at Anaheim’s Disneyland in 1962. With those big teeth and slightly gross long tongue, we can understand her reaction.

Back in the 1930s even head honcho Walt Disney couldn’t get his hands on a Mickey Mouse toy that didn’t seem to have escaped from somebody’s nightmares. Here, the mogul is presented with a bouquet of flowers to commemorate his most famous creation’s fifth birthday. But the Mickey seen by the side of him doesn’t seem to be in the celebratory mood.

Let’s just hope no young Disney fan wandered on to the backlot of Anaheim’s Disneyland while this pic was taken in the summer of 1962. All of their illusions would have been shattered in one fell swoop. Here, an actor who’s probably spent most of the sweltering hot day baking inside a giant character costume takes a well-earned break.

If you thought the Seven Dwarfs at the Disney parks in the United States were creepy enough, then you haven’t seen anything yet. Here, the likes of Sleepy, Bashful, and co. join Snow White at an ice show in Paris. And their faces look like they may have been hit in the head a few too many times by wayward skates.

This picture of Jo Anne Worley appears to have been taken at the 1980 TV special named Kraft Salutes Disneyland’s 25th Anniversary. But the Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In regular looks like she’s regretting accepting the invitation. We can’t exactly blame her, considering the slightly menacing pose Donald Duck has adopted.

The Disney World parade is usually one of the highlights for any self-respecting Mouse House fan. But this one, designed to celebrate the United States Bicentennial at the Magic Kingdom back in 1976, definitely wasn't one of them. Not only does the weather look pretty glum, but attendees also had to face the horror of this creepy-looking rabbit from Alice in Wonderland.

If you were one of those kids who absolutely dreaded gym class, then take comfort from the fact that things could have been a lot worse. You could have had to compete with runners sporting terrifying Mickey Mouse masks. In fact, this photo was taken at a 1938 sporting event in England entirely dedicated to the usually-loveable rodent.

Offering a journey into transportation history, the World of Motion used to be one of the most popular attractions at Disney’s Epcot Center. It was one which would have excited the park’s founder Walt, too. But who knows what the keen motor enthusiast would have made of this odd paragliding display?

Winnie-the-Pooh’s sadistic streak clearly wasn’t the main focus of the franchise. And as for Tigger, is he blocking the dog’s exit or offering him up? Either way, the overbearing duo clearly isn’t dog’s best friend here. In the pup’s defense, we’d probably let out a bark or two if we ever met a giant bear with such a haunting stare.

The Harvard University Band had an inspired idea to make their appearance at Boston’s Harvard Stadium in October 1969 just that much more special. They had Mickey Mouse suddenly pop out of one of their musical instruments! Even one of the band members themselves appears to have fallen over in surprise.

What’s more frightening than a slightly misshapen Donald Duck? Well, how about a giant slightly misshapen Donald Duck? Yes, those watching the annual Macy Thanksgiving Day parade the year this particular photo was taken were greeted with the rather imposing sight of Disney’s finest feathered friend looming over their heads.

Sometimes a costumed Mickey Mouse can get away with how little he resembles the cartoon thing. Not so much when he’s at the wheel of a vehicle emblazoned with his famous face on it. Aside from the shoddy stitching, how can we un-see the rigor-mortis-like angle he’s been stuffed into the wagon?

Donald Duck has always known how to make an entrance. But the lovable duck took things to new levels when he arrived for an event staged at the Sydney Harbour back in 1986. Let’s just hope that this apparent cartoon Cyclops also wasn’t supposed to be steering the boat at the same time...

The Mad Hatter in this photo certainly lived up to the first half of his name. Alice, of Wonderland fame, looks to be smiling through gritted teeth while posing alongside whoever is in such a creepy costume. And the smartly-dressed young tourist also doesn’t seem particularly delighted to be there, either. 

Herschel Walker may look like he’s having a ball dancing with these two characters from one of Disney's most under-appreciated classics, Fantasia. But no doubt the running back for the Dallas Cowboys was merely putting a brave face on things for this snap taken at Florida's Walt Disney World Resort in the late 1980s. The ballerina hippos are surely scarier than anything Walker encountered on the football field!